Image this: your youngsters are sufficiently old to drive and have their first vehicles. A few of them are even transferring out of the household house.
All of a sudden, you do not want a big household car to haul round your youngsters and all their stuff. It is simply you and your companion, hopefully having fun with a a lot quieter house.
That silence in your house means you’ll be able to truly hear your self suppose. And now, rapidly, you hear your self pondering: “Do I really want that large SUV within the storage?”.
Free from the shackles of getting to schlep your youngsters throughout city, now you can change your car. However what do you go for?
We posed this state of affairs to the CarExpert editorial crew, which incorporates an empty-nester. There was a strict price range cap of $70,000 earlier than on-road prices, however in any other case crew members have been allowed to decide on any new car – that meant any powertrain sort, any physique model, and any model.
Listed here are the fashions the crew selected.
Marton Pettendy, Managing Editor
Ford Ranger V6 XLT 4×4 dual-cab
I am an empty-nester however I am unable to afford a Porsche 911 GT3, and each the VFII Holden Ute SS and MC Mondeo are nonetheless going sturdy.
So I would purchase a Ford Ranger V6 XLT 4×4 dual-cab, which slots in neatly below our worth cap at $67,990 plus ORCs.
In truth, it is higher worth than ever following the axing of the bi-turbo diesel 4 and the addition of extra V6 variants as a part of the MY26.50 Ranger lineup.
The Ranger stays Australia’s finest ute and the one one developed right here, and the XLT is the candy spot within the vary.
I do not want a Raptor or a Tremendous Obligation – simply the grunt to tow no matter I need, and essentially the most helpful ute gear Ford presents, with none of the superfluous stuff I do not need to pay further for.
With a couple of alternative off-road mods, it is all of the Ranger I would ever want to move west in.
MORE: Discover the Ford Ranger showroom
James Wong, Market Editor
Cupra Formentor
This one genuinely had me stumped – $70,000 can purchase you a large number but in addition not a lot once you’re pondering of an aspirational empty-nester buy.
A number of vehicles got here to thoughts, just like the Alfa Romeo Giulia, BMW 3 Sequence Touring, and Mini Countryman SE Favoured – all automobiles which are sporty, luxurious and enjoyable, however nonetheless have a very good degree of practicality in case the youngsters (or their youngsters) need to be carted round, or if our fellow empty-nester pals want a experience to the golf membership or vineyard.
However, with that price range, numerous the premium marques are off-limits, as are numerous mid-life disaster vehicles like a Porsche 911. So, it acquired me pondering…
At that stage of life you are prone to need one thing somewhat extra particular, which may do the issues I discussed above but in addition has a little bit of aptitude and uniqueness to it. Add in some kerbside enchantment or wow-factor as a result of, properly, you’ve got earned it.
I am not a camper, and I do not want one thing that is going to haul a caravan or scale a rocky path, so I can cancel that skillset out.
Considering with a extra mainstream mind, there aren’t an entire lot of automobiles that, for me, match that invoice. Positive, a Mazda MX-5 or Ford Mustang are cool and enjoyable, however are each a bit too widespread and in addition do not actually fairly nail that usability temporary – plus, if my again will get any worse than it’s now after I’m 60, getting out and in of those goes to require numerous journeys to the chiro.
So, perhaps considerably predictably, I landed on the Cupra Formentor. Its sharp design stands out in visitors, it is enjoyable to drive whatever the engine you select, it presents a mixture of options, know-how and practicality, and it has a whiff of premium about it however wears another badge. It is also somewhat larger and simpler to get out and in of than a Leon.
Personally, I would take both the VZx or VZe. Yet another for the boy-racer at coronary heart, the opposite being a extra thought-about all-rounder. Most significantly, each sneak below that $70,000 barrier.
MORE: Discover the Cupra Formentor showroom
Damion Smy, Deputy Information Editor
Honda Prelude
A Honda Prelude can be a very good match for an older model of child-less me. Because the hair I’ve left begins to show gray, it appears extra appropriate than the sensible GR86 I nonetheless pine after, because the Toyota coupe is simply too stiff for my different half and does not actually have any sense of event.
And as a lot as I like MX-5s, becoming into them will be difficult, and the Prelude has a tad extra flexibility when it comes to area. We all know the Civic chassis it makes use of is sensible and, sure, I would love extra grunt, but it surely’s a good factor if you may get out and in of it with out straining your again. And as I lose my senses it might solely appear quicker and quicker…
My 80-year-old dad gave up his Subaru Liberty for a Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe a couple of years in the past, validating my leaning in the direction of a two-door, even when a brand new Mustang is past the required price range lately.
MORE: Discover the Honda Prelude showroom
Ben Zachariah, Street Check Editor
Toyota GR Corolla
Whereas my go-to reply is the Mazda MX-5 (the reply to any query is all the time MX-5), the Honda Prelude impressed me just lately, and I really feel it is a superb resolution for somebody who does not want greater than two doorways, however nonetheless desires one thing somewhat sporty, somewhat environment friendly, and somewhat fashionable.
However for a few issues: I like efficiency vehicles, and this project is about what we would purchase with our personal hard-earned. The opposite factor is, my mother and father have been nonetheless there to assist me for a few years after I flew the coop – serving to me transfer home, accumulating me (and my pals) from the aspect of the street when my vehicles broke down, choosing me up from the mechanic, no matter. Which implies a tiny two-seater convertible, or perhaps a small coupe like a GR86 or BRZ, are out of the query.
I loved the Formentor V just lately, however the Skoda Octavia RS wagon is extra my velocity. It does not include a guide lately, nevertheless, which has me zeroing in on a Toyota GR Corolla. If the price range did not permit for the Toyota, my reply would have been a Hyundai i20 N.
It isn’t typically that I discover my grip on the important thing fob tightening as I hand it again, however that was the case with the GR Corolla I drove it earlier this 12 months. Positive, it is not the quickest or essentially the most thrilling, and it is actually not essentially the most spacious, and even notably good worth. However love is fickle, and the zingy sizzling hatch acquired below my pores and skin.
Just like the i20 N and GR86, the GR Corolla can be utilized as a well-mannered grocery-getter through the week, but in addition to carve up a mountain street once you want an adrenaline rush. It is nonetheless a five-door hatchback, so it could gather the youngsters from their O-week celebration, take a couple of small packing containers to their sharehouse, and scare your daughter’s new boyfriend on a free gravel street. There’s even room for a child seat, ought to that state of affairs come up.
It additionally has very intuitive controls, with stalks the place you need them, uncomplicated local weather controls, and enormous buttons with legible fonts – all good issues for an previous codger with grown-up youngsters. No offence, Marty…
MORE: Discover the Toyota Corolla showroom
Josh Nevett, Deputy Market Editor
Mazda MX-5
MX-5 is all the time the reply. It all the time has been and, a minimum of for now, nonetheless is.
Youngsters out the door equals much less accountability equals time to reward your self for many years of laborious work, and there isn’t any higher option to deal with your self than by shopping for a pretty, partaking and invigorating convertible sports activities automobile. In Soul Crimson, after all, and with a guide transmission.
I am not so fussed about physique model, though the RF is a bit more particular in my eyes, and appears higher with the highest up.
You possibly can’t go flawed with any MX-5 although, so take pleasure in that vacant nest!
Sean Lander, Head of Video
Kia Tasman X-Professional
Do not change the channel, there may be technique to my insanity.
$70,000 is manner lower than what most empty-nesters can be spending. In actuality, for those who managed to outlive getting your baby(ren) to maturity, you may have earned the proper to overextend your self (or have an inexpensive sufficient earnings) to splash on one thing nicer. My Mum went from the petrol V8-powered 100 Sequence household wagon to a Ram Laramie. Such is the case with many of us who discover themselves with a couple of empty bedrooms.
But when we should limit the price range to $70,000, the Tasman is available in waaaaay below that worth because of the beneficiant reductions out there proper now. Which implies you may have loads of cash to suit an enormous ol’ bullbar to the entrance of it and do your (and our) eyes a favour.
Mockery apart, the Tasman is a improbable car. Loads of energy (do not let the on-paper numbers idiot you – it was the quickest four-cylinder diesel in our latest ute megatest), a terrific experience, large tray, respectable towing capability, and the inside is among the finest you may get in a ute.
The X-Professional has the added bonus of correct off-road package, so you’ll be able to lastly try this Massive Lap you all the time needed to do.
If the off-road gadgetry is not to your fancy, save much more money and get the X-Line.
Positive, it ain’t the most effective trying factor on this planet, however folks can purchase it as a result of it would compel Kia to make extra utes and, once they give it a facelift, it is going to be one of many must-have utes available on the market.
William Stopford, Information Editor
Hyundai Sonata N Line
Are you aware what would completely hit the spot? A Mazda 3 sedan with the turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive. Delicate, elegant styling, a torquey turbocharged engine, and an upscale inside with compact exterior dimensions? Signal me up!
There’s only one catch: Mazda does not promote it right here.
My second thought is a mid-size, rear-wheel drive sedan from a premium model. However there’s nothing below $70,000, in any respect.
So, the place does one go for one thing rather less family-friendly that is nonetheless comfy for the commute and presents the efficiency I want?
There is a rising variety of electrical choices, and the MG IM5 cuts a pointy determine in visitors. Even in mid-spec Platinum trim it presents 300kW of energy and is totally loaded to the gunwales with package. Alas, my solely expertise driving it was a sequence of parking-lot demonstrations – not sufficient to permit me to confidently suggest it. Likewise the sharply priced Mazda 6e, which I have never had the prospect to drive but.
The petrol-powered Hyundai Sonata N Line I’ve pushed, nevertheless, and it is like a extra mature i30 Sedan N. It is nonetheless front-wheel drive, which isn’t essentially my desire, but it surely’s sharply styled, presents sturdy efficiency, and is loaded with package. With the Kia Stinger lifeless and the Genesis G70 priced out of this state of affairs, it is the subsequent neatest thing from the Hyundai Motor Firm.
I would additionally give a shout-out to JWo’s decide of a Cupra Formentor. Notably for those who’re popping out of an SUV, it nonetheless presents that SUV experience peak however in any other case does not really feel like an SUV in any respect. It is enjoyable to drive and classy in and out, and I would fortunately have one in my storage.
MORE: Discover the Hyundai Sonata showroom
Max Davies, Market Journalist
Skoda Octavia RS wagon
I wanted little or no time to determine that I would be going for a wagon. Hell, I would have a wagon even earlier than I used to be an empty-nester.
What took extra time to choose was precisely which wagon. The prospect of a Skoda Excellent sounds completely pretty to me, however the 195TSI Sportline wagon is simply exterior of our price range at $74,990 drive-away. There may be nonetheless the Excellent Choose PHEV wagon for $66,990 drive-away, however I would a lot quite the ability and facilities of the higher-spec variant.
Then I considered the Subaru WRX Sportswagon, which tops out at $63,990 earlier than on-road prices. However I actually would not want a performance-car-based wagon as my principal car, and I count on to nonetheless have the WRX itch scratched by a special automobile at that time in my life.
So as an alternative I would choose a special Skoda, the Octavia RS. It is nonetheless a reasonably sharp wagon, but it surely’s usually extra compliant in its experience because of Volkswagen’s intelligent Adaptive Chassis Management suspension setup. It is also spacious sufficient, fast sufficient, and inside price range at $64,990 drive-away – all-wheel drive is the one factor I would miss.
Importantly, it is fairly fashionable, and I would spend an additional $300 for Smokey Silver Metallic paint to make it much more so.
MORE: Discover the Skoda Octavia showroom
Dave Kavermann, Motoring Journalist at CarExpert New Zealand
Skoda Elroq Choose 85
Properly accomplished. You possibly can lastly get a automobile with out making sacrifices for everybody else.
The children have left house. The children’ junk has disappeared from the boot. The each day college run is a distant reminiscence. For the primary time in years, you should buy a automobile as a result of it fits you and never others.
That is the place the Skoda Elroq Choose 85 comes into its personal.
It does not chase traits with gimmicky tech or attention-grabbing styling. As a substitute, it focuses on getting the basics proper – one thing that is changing into more and more uncommon.
Its dimension is spot-on for Australia and New Zealand. Compact sufficient to squeeze into busy procuring centre carparks or slender metropolis streets, but spacious sufficient for weekends away, or the inevitable grandkids’ go to. There’s loads of baggage area, and the cabin feels genuinely premium with out coming with a luxury-car price ticket, though you are within the flagship mannequin.
The electrical drivetrain is one other candy spot. With greater than 500km of real-world driving vary, the Elroq 85 has a sufficiently big battery to make street journeys really feel regular quite than one thing that requires meticulous planning. For many EV homeowners, charging turns into one thing you do at house anyway.
What actually units it aside, although, is how straightforward it’s to dwell with. The experience is supple, the cabin is quiet, and the elevated seating place makes getting out and in straightforward.
Higher but, Skoda hasn’t buried each operate inside a touchscreen, so on a regular basis duties stay refreshingly easy.
Like each good Skoda, it is full of considerate touches that make life simpler quite than extra difficult.
And for those who haven’t grown up but, it is quick sufficient to get into some hassle. With 210kW and 545Nm on faucet, any drive can increase a smile.
